Choose from over 100 finishing options to customize your sheet metal components or assemblies. Whether enhancing functionality or aesthetics, our expert-applied finishes ensure top-quality results with short lead times.
Get a free 30-minute virtual consultation with one of our sheet metal application engineers. This is a great opportunity to review your finishing requirements and ensure your project meets your exact specifications.
Select from two surface finish options for your sheet metal part, ensuring it is safe to handle and ready for immediate use straight out of the box.
This is the standard surface finish for sheet metal parts, achieved using a random orbital sander to remove dross, surface debris, and residue from the cutting process. While not ideal for cosmetic applications, it is well-suited for internal components or projects where form, fit, and function take priority.
This finish is created by applying a sanding belt in a consistent directional pattern across the sheet metal surface. Often used for cosmetic or customer-facing applications, the grain direction can be customized in three ways:
Note on Welded Parts: Weld beads create a raised surface at the weld site. Our process smooths and blends the weld bead into the surrounding metal, ensuring a uniform and seamless finish.
Powder coating involves applying a dry powder to the surface of sheet metal parts, followed by curing in a high-temperature oven to create a durable, hard finish that outperforms conventional paint. This process enhances part durability while offering custom color options for aesthetic appeal.
For the fastest turnaround, choose from 50 stocked colors, with various texture and gloss levels available.
Plating and coatings offer corrosion resistance, remove surface contaminants, enhance durability, and provide additional functional benefits. Refer to the table below for the most commonly selected options.
Please note:
| Finish | Descriptive Name | Specification | Compatible Material Types | Example | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anodizing | Clear Anodizing | MIL-A-8625, Type II, Class 1 | Aluminum |  |
|
| Black Anodizing | MIL-A-8625, Type II, Class 2, Black | ||||
| Color Anodizing | MIL-A-8625, Type II, Class 2, “Color” | Request your color choice in the “custom option” selection of your online quote. | |||
| Hardcoat Anodizing | Clear Hardcoat Anodizing | MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 1 | Aluminum | Minimum coating thickness 0.020in. (0.508mm) | |
| Black Hardcoat Anodizing | MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 2, Black | ||||
| Hardcoat Anodizing with Teflon | MIL-A-63576, Type I | ||||
| Chromate | Yellow Chromate (Chem-Film) | MIL-DTL-5541, Type I, Class 3 | Aluminum | |
Hexavalent chromate |
| Clear Chromate (Chem-Film) | MIL-DTL-5541, Type II, Class 3 | RoHS, non-hexavalent chromate | |||
| Electroless Nickel | Electroless Nickel, EN | ASTM-B733, Type IV, SC1, Class 1 | Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel | Minimum coating thickness 0.0002 in. (0.005mm). | |
| Passivation | Nitric Passivation | ASTM-A967, Nitric 2, Practice D | Stainless Steel | |
|
| Citric Passivation | ASTM-A967, Citric 3, Practice D | ||||
| Zinc | Zinc | ASTM-B633, Type I, FE/ZN 5 SC1 | Steel | Zinc with no supplementary treatment; minimum coating thickness 0.0002 in. (0.005mm) | |
| Yellow Zinc | ASTM-B633, Type II, FE/ZN 5 SC1, Yellow | Zinc with colored (yellow) chromate; minimum coating thickness 0.0002 in. (0.005mm) | |||
| Black Zinc | ASTM-B633, Type II, FE/ZN 5 SC1, Black | Zinc with colored (black) chromate; minimum coating thickness 0.0002 in. (0.005mm) | |||
| Clear Zinc | ASTM-B633, Type III, FE/ZN 5 SC1, Clear | Zinc with colorless chromate; minimum coating thickness 0.0002 in. (0.005mm) | |||
| Tin | Tin | ASTM-B545, Class A | Copper |
Check out our sheet metal guide for a quick snapshot of our Standard and Cosmetic finishing options available for various sheet metal materials.
Get a QuoteWet paint involves applying a liquid coating to your part, providing an attractive finish. Available in virtually any color, this process is often paired with a primer to enhance paint adhesion and durability.
It’s commonly used when visual consistency across parts is crucial, making it ideal for industries like automotive and consumer electronics.
Our wet paint options are offered both with and without primer.
To ensure we meet your exact requirements, please provide the full paint specifications (including color and texture). You can submit these in one of two ways—there’s no need to do both:
Silk screening on sheet metal involves pushing ink through a fine mesh screen with a stencil to create a design. The stencil blocks certain areas, allowing ink to be transferred to the uncovered portions of the metal surface. This method is commonly used to add labels, instructions, or decorative patterns to metal parts.
To request silk screening for your project, simply provide the following:
Additional Silk Screening Considerations:
Masking is a widely used step in the finishing process for sheet metal components, assemblies, and electrical enclosures. By using tape, rounds, and plugs, we can apply finishes selectively to specific areas of your design. Some of the main advantages of masking include:
To request masking, please submit a 2D drawing along with your CAD file, indicating the masked areas and specifying which holes or inserts need to be plugged.
We offer various types of tape and rounds (discs) for this process.
| Tape | Rounds/Discs |
|---|---|
| 0.250 in. | 0.3125 in. |
| 0.500 in. | 0.375 in. |
| 0.675 in. | 0.500 in. |
| 0.750 in. | 0.625 in. |
| 1.000 in. | 0.750 in. |
| 2.000 in. | 1.000 in. |
| Tape | Rounds/Discs |
|---|---|
| 6.35mm | 7.938mm |
| 12.7mm | 9.525mm |
| 17.145mm | 12.7mm |
| 19.05mm | 15.875mm |
| 25.4mm | 19.05mm |
| 50.8mm | 25.4mm |
These values are estimates and can vary based on several factors, such as machine settings and process conditions. As such, the information provided is not legally binding or guaranteed. For critical performance requirements, it is recommended to conduct independent testing of the additive materials or finished parts.
Part marking is an essential method for identifying and tracking components as they progress through the supply chain. Each order shipped from our facility is packaged with a bag and tag marking system, where parts are grouped together and labeled with key identifying details.
If your supply chain requires each part to be uniquely identified for traceability, we offer a stenciling service that can include the following details:
To request part marking for your part or project, please submit a 2D drawing that includes the following details:
Whether you’re creating a prototype to test form, fit, or function, or you need fast-turnaround cosmetic parts for an upcoming trade show, we can meet your needs. Use this guide to select the ideal option for your project.
| Standard | Cosmetic | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | When lower cost is a greater priority than appearance | Functionally cosmetic parts that make you and your parts look good to stakeholders |
| Use Cases | Form, fit, function prototyping; internal components | Testing or demonstration units, trade show parts, external components |
| Part Applications | Internal brackets and mounts, heat shields, support structures, washers, spacers, electrical components | Housings, covers, face plates, external brackets and mounts |
| Surface Finish | Protolabs’ discretion | Customer specified (grain direction, orbital sanded) |
| Safe Handling | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | $ | $$ |
| Quantity | 1-100+ parts | Best for 1-25 parts |
